A new year has begun! Why not rethink the words you use (or teach others) in order to reduce stigmatization and promote compassion. The words covered:  Therapy, Race, Fat, Skinny, Old, Dark, Virgin, Bisexual/Pansexual, Curvy, Flat, OCD, Kinky, Plus-size, Nappy, Bipolar, and Diversity. Read the article on Buzzfeed … [Read more...]

“Describing Santa Cruz, California, residents Lara and Emkay Bosque as passionate advocates of foster care and adoption is a lot like saying DaVinci was handy with a paintbrush or Beethoven could write a catchy tune.” Read the full article in The Huffington Post … [Read more...]

As the second half of the school year commences, here’s a great resource for GSA leaders who are going to be transitioning out of high school. “As the school year comes to an end, many GSA leaders worry about what will happen to the GSA club once they are gone. It is important to create a strategy for passing the torch of leadership so that your GSA stays strong for future years. Your long-term goal is to keep your GSA active in the fight against homophobia and transphobia in schools…” Read the full guide at GSA Network … [Read more...]

“This original Mashable photo shoot captured the stories of 11 special teens. Some of them are raw, others eye-opening, all compelling. Bold, beautiful and brave, these youths are redefining what it means to be a transgender teenager in America today and proving that their voices matter. Here, they introduce themselves to the public for the first time, in their own words. “ Click Here to see the video and read the stories of these transgender teens … [Read more...]

“Time and again, our consumers have shown us, there really is nothing bolder than being true to yourself and living life to the fullest," he said in a statement. "With Doritos Rainbows chips, we're bringing an entirely new product experience to our consumers to show our commitment toward equal rights for the LGBT community and celebrate humanity without exception." Read the full article in The Advocate … [Read more...]

“Ally Week is an opportunity for students to engage in a national conversation about the meaning of allyship. Ally Week is for everyone: straight and cisgender allies to LGBT youth are encouraged to learn about what actions they can take to support their LGBT peers, while LGBT youth can learn about how to support one another's overlapping, intersecting identities.” GLSEN has created resources and educational guides for this event geared towards individuals, GSA’s, and educators! Visit glsen.org/allyweek/betterallies for tips to take action … [Read more...]

Schools are increasingly being called upon to include and support transgender students. Recognizing that this can seem daunting or overwhelming, Schools In Transition offers practical guidance and field-tested tips for all stakeholders to work together planning and supporting a transgender student through a transition at school. The guide is geared toward the needs of all students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, and incorporates recommendations that will allow schools to tailor those plans to the particular circumstances of the student and … [Read more...]